Dallas Cowboys Blog

Horn: Tony Dungy sees Cowboys’ state of mind change in December

The Cowboys return to the prime time stage Sunday when they host the Philadelphia Eagles in Arlington. Back in NBC’s Football Night in America studio, the cerebral Tony Dungy, a Super Bowl-winning coach with the Indianapolis Colts, will be dissecting a very different team than the one he saw on Nov. 7, the Cowboys’ last Sunday night appearance.

That night, the Cowboys were humiliated by the Green Bay Packers, 45-7. The game drew the smallest Dallas-Fort Worth audience for the 15 Cowboys regular-season games since NBC picked up Sunday Night Football in 2006.

NBC’s broadcasters sliced and diced that Cowboys effort.

The next day, Jerry Jones fired Wade Phillips and promoted Jason Garrett to head coach.

What’s the difference between the Cowboys you’ll see Sunday and the Cowboys you saw against the Packers?

The No. 1 thing is the team’s state of mind. I’ve seen more fight and determination. Jason Garrett has put the mindset back in the team that it can come back and overcome when things go wrong.

And they are getting takeaways. Sometimes that is coincidence. Sometimes that comes from a coach simplifying things. Sometimes it comes from a coach allowing players to take more chances. Chuck Noll, my coach with the Steelers, told me something in my rookie season as a player, and I carry it with me to this day: “The team that goes the hardest usually gets the breaks.”

What surprised you most last week watching the Cowboys beat your former team, the Colts?

The Colts made the errors the Cowboys had been making. There was a key dropped ball by a big-time receiver [Reggie Wayne], and after the Cowboys had their punt blocked for a Colts touchdown, the Cowboys came back with a great drive and a touchdown of their own.

What are your thoughts about Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna?

I’ve always liked Jon. I’ve been watching him since he got to Cincinnati [in 2001]. He’s a leader and always gets his players to play hard. He’s a no-frills guy with a great arm. He’s a smart guy and has abundant confidence in himself.

Should the “Rooney Rule” that requires minority candidates be interviewed be applicable if the Cowboys want to hire Jason Garrett?

The rule serves a good purpose but there are times no rule is perfect. If you have an interim coach and he does a good job, and it’s obvious that Jason’s a good fit and is the right guy, he’ll get hired in the end. … But the best thing the rule does is slow down the process. Maybe there is someone out there who may be better. What if Jason is not the absolute best person? Maybe the rule allows the Cowboys to confirm Jason is the best candidate. … If they keep winning, it’s pretty obvious [Cowboys owner Jerry Jones] is going to hire him.”

Last year, you famously predicted the Cowboys had “no chance” to beat the New Orleans Saints. And, of course, they did. Did you hear from any Cowboys?

Ray Sherman, the receivers coach, is a good friend of mine and he gave me some grief. … When there are 10 seconds to go before commercial and someone asks you a question, you want to say a lot but there is no time. … I made a mistake trying to be too short. That was a lesson for me.